Aviary Autumn One

Me!

This term, our children will be exploring the wonderful topic of “Me!” as they learn more about themselves, their bodies, their families, their feelings and what makes each of us unique.

Our key question for the term is:

“What makes me unique?”

Through a combination of play, sensory experiences, practical activities, stories, songs, movement and communication, children will develop their knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world around them.

My Body

In Science, children will explore Animals Including Humans, learning to identify and name different parts of the body and discovering what our bodies help us to do. We will explore our five senses through fun, hands-on investigations involving seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching.

Children will also learn about how we look after our bodies through healthy eating, exercise, personal care and hygiene.

Maths – Learning Through Me

Maths will be brought to life through meaningful experiences linked to the children's own bodies and daily routines.

Children will:

Count fingers, toes and body parts
Match numbers to quantities
Compare height, size and length
Measure using practical resources
Count jumps, claps and steps
Explore simple graphs and sorting activities
Develop an understanding of sequencing and routines

Communication, Reading and Writing

Children will develop their communication and early literacy skills through meaningful experiences about themselves and the people who are important to them.

We will explore:

Names and name recognition
Family photographs
All About Me books
Stories about families and our bodies
Body-part songs and rhymes
Likes and dislikes
Labelling and matching
Opportunities to request, comment and share using spoken language, visuals and communication systems

Feelings, Relationships and PSED

A key part of our learning will be understanding who we are and how we feel.

Children will explore different emotions, develop confidence and self-awareness, and learn about the people who care for and support them.

We will talk about:
happy • sad • worried • excited • proud • kind • family • friends • helping

Daily feelings check-ins, turn-taking games, personal care routines and opportunities to celebrate individual strengths will support children's emotional development and independence. Use of Makaton to support our language skills.

Sensory Learning

Sensory exploration will be woven throughout our learning, allowing children to investigate the world through their senses in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them.

Children may explore:

Different textures
Sounds and music
Smells
Warm and cool sensations
Light and mirrors
Water and messy play
Dough and tactile materials
Relaxation and movement activities

Moving Our Bodies

We will have lots of opportunities to move, stretch, jump, balance, crawl, hop and dance.

Through obstacle courses, action songs, yoga, animal movements and mirror games, children will develop their gross motor skills, coordination, body awareness and confidence.

Fine motor activities such as threading, dough work, peg activities, mark making, cutting and using tweezers will help children develop the hand strength and control needed for future writing and independence.

Creativity and Art

Art will provide opportunities for children to express their individuality and creativity.

We will create:

Self-portraits
Family collages
Hand and footprint artwork
Facial feature pictures
Body outlines
Models and creative constructions

Children will explore colour, shape, texture, painting, printing, drawing, collage and modelling.

Understanding Our World

Children will learn about their own families, homes and communities and explore how people are similar and different.

We will look at photographs of ourselves now, talk about growing and changing, explore different homes, observe the changing seasons and weather, and learn about people who help us.

Our Termly Journey

Weeks 1–3: All About Me
My name • My body • My likes and dislikes

Weeks 4–6: My Family
People who care for me • Different families • My home

Weeks 7–9: Keeping Healthy
Healthy food • Exercise • Hygiene and self-care

Weeks 10–12: Growing and Changing
Baby to child • What I can do now • Celebrating what makes me unique

Celebrating Every Child

Throughout the term, we will celebrate the individuality of every child and recognise that everyone communicates, learns, experiences the world and expresses themselves in different ways.

Our learning will be carefully adapted through visual supports, sensory experiences, practical learning, repetition, modelling and individual communication approaches, ensuring that every child can participate, experience success and develop their independence.

We want our children to finish the term knowing:

“This is me. I am special. I am unique. I belong.”